The next-generation 8-Series will serve as the brand's flagship and will borrow heavily from the 7-Series parts bin. Autocar says that BMW could go two different ways with the 8-Series: a four-door hardtop-only design similar to the 6-Series Gran Coupe, or a classic two-door coupe and cabrio duo.

It'll be interesing to see if regional markets will play a role in that decision; China pretends that coupes do not exist as a type of automobile.

BMW completed production of the 8-series coupe in 1999. In its 10-year run, the GT car saw power from a 4.0-liter V8, 4.4-liter V8, a 5.0-5.6-liter V12 and a 5.4-liter V12. The flagship was aimed at a ...

The first concept directly previewing the new 8-Series will debut in 2018, but for now enjoy Pininfarina's take on a large BMW coupe. Photo by BMW

The grab of yet another number by BMW is hardly surprising, but what is surprising is how long it took the marque to take the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe head on. The S-Class Coupe was called the CL-Class when the last 8-Series roamed the autobahn, but neither big boat was a hot seller for Munich or Stuttgart back in the 1990s.

We'll find out which way BMW will go in 2018 when the automaker will show the first direct 8-Series concept.